DEP TO IMPLEMENT COLLIER COUNTY REQUESTS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 19, 2014

DEP TO IMPLEMENT COLLIER
COUNTY REQUESTS

TALLAHASSEE– As a further demonstration of the Florida Department of Environmental
Protection’s (DEP) commitment to protecting the families of Collier County and
Florida’s natural resources, DEP will implement all of the County’s requests
related to the Collier-Hogan well.

DEP Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard Jr. said, “Our letter today makes clear
that we are committed to fulfilling every one of the Commission’s requests to
ensure we’re doing everything possible to protect families in Collier County.
Moreover, we’re committed to fulfilling the County’s request that a $1 million
bond be posted to ensure resources are proactively available to keep the region
safe. That’s why I am asking the Commission to join DEP and sign our letter,
for settlement purposes, calling on Dan A. Hughes to fulfill this important
need. DEP will work with the County to pursue every means possible to hold responsible
parties accountable and to protect the people and environment of Collier County.”

In response to the County’s challenge to the Consent Order between DEP
and Dan A. Hughes, DEP has agreed to foster direct and transparent
communication with the County by:

Sharing technical information, provided by
Dan A. Hughes, with the County related to the December 2013 workover procedure at
the Collier-Hogan well site.

Providing the County with a copy of the
Interim Spill Prevention and Cleanup Plan that Dan A. Hughes will implement at
the well site.

Consulting with the County on the selection
of independent experts that will be tasked with reviewing the workover
procedure to ensure groundwater resources were not adversely impacted.

Providing the County with the report compiled
by the independent experts, allowing the County the opportunity to conduct a
meaningful review of the analysis and consulting with the County prior to
determining that Dan A. Hughes has satisfied the report requirements.

Providing the County with a copy of the
groundwater monitoring plan submitted by Dan A. Hughes and retaining
independent experts to review the plan.

Notifying the County of any accidents or
incidents at the well site.

Requesting that Dan A. Hughes post a $1
million bond for potential cleanup costs at the site.

In addition to today’s agreement, DEP has already taken steps to address
the concerns of residents, including:

Requiring the Dan A. Hughes Company and
Collier Resources Company to hold at least three public meetings to discuss and
take public comment on their plans for the Collier-Hogan site, and plans for
all other current and future energy operations in Collier County.

Supplementing the County’s efforts by conducting
additional groundwater testing at the Collier-Hogan site and alternative sites
near the drilling locations.

Requesting that Dan A. Hughes cease all new
operations in Florida until DEP has fully reviewed the results of the
monitoring efforts at the Collier-Hogan site.

A copy of the letter issued today by DEP Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard Jr. to Collier County
Board of County Commissioners Chairman Tom Henning is located HERE.

About the Florida Department of Environmental Protection

The
Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the state’s principal
environmental agency, created to protect, conserve and manage Florida’s
environment and natural resources. The Department enforces federal and state
environmental laws, protects Florida’s air and water quality, cleans up
pollution, regulates solid waste management, promotes pollution prevention and
acquires environmentally-sensitive lands for preservation. The agency also
maintains a statewide system of parks, trails and aquatic preserves. To view
the Department’s website log on to www.dep.state.fl.us.